Mom Of Toddler Killed By Wild Dogs Won’t Be Prosecuted

When Maddox Derkosh, 2, was mauled to death after falling into a wild dog exhibit at the Pittsburgh Zoo on Nov. 4, his mom faced harsh criticism. Now, police are saying she won’t be charged with any crimes — but the zoo is still being investigated

The mother of a Pittsburgh toddler who was mauled to death on Nov. 4 at the Pittsburgh Zoo inside the African painted dogs exhibit won’t be prosecuted in connection with the violent death.

But authorities are still looking into the zoo for possible criminal negligence.

On Nov. 28, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. said the death of Maddox Derkosh, 2, at the zoo was a “tragic accident.” His mother, Elizabeth Derkosh, 34, brought the boy to the zoo, and lifted him up on the rail at the African painted dogs exhibit on Nov. to see better.

Witnesses say the boy then lunged forward, and fell into the exhibit, where he was attacked by the dogs and died from blood loss.

“Very unfortunately, in this situation, the dogs were doing what the dogs would normally do,” Dr. Baker said during a press conference from the Pittsburgh Zoo on Nov 5.